Peach tree named ‘FLATWO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree denominated ‘FLATWO’ which have fruits with high eating quality, an early ripening time and a very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, the fruits having a semi-sweet white flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation when the fruits reach their maturity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface, on a marbled orange red background.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘FLATWO’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2015/2864 filed on Nov. 27, 2015 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whiteflat peach tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given thevariety denomination ‘FLATWO’.

This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alterationboth on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very goodeating quality, semi-clingstone white flesh fruits, with a slightly redpigmentation around and into the stone cavity, for fresh market early inJune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘FLATWO’ white flat peach tree originated from a cultivated area ofthe south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it wastested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘FLATWO’ variety results from a pollinated cross between the whitenectarine variety named ‘ASF 0621’ which was used as the seed parent,and the ‘FLATREINE’ white flat peach tree, also known as ASFPBF0796(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,495) which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘FLATWO’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a ‘INRA® GF677’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has beendetermined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making itworthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effectsof the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar.Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘FLATWO’ white flat peach tree blooms atthe end of February or early in March near Elne in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. The blooming period isconsidered early. However, it was observed that its date of bloomingseems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘FLATWO’ ripens early season, generally during thefirst two weeks of June. More particularly, ripening time usually beginsfrom June 1^(st) to June 22^(nd). However, it was observed that its dateof maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, colors are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are color photographs showing a branch of a tree of thenew variety in an orchard, bearing fruits;

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a close view of three typical specimens of the fruit of thenew variety ‘FLATWO’ at ripening time, one fruit having been cut in halfwith the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting leaves, fruitflesh, pit and pit cavity of the new variety.

The enclosed photographs show plants in their third growing season.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the flowers,stones and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not beaccurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘FLATWO’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-flared outaspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is presentexcluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning offlowering is considered early; flowering begins at the end of Februaryor early in March. The type of flower is showy with medium petal size.Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. The fruitflesh is white and generally with a red pigmentation when reachingmaturity. The fruit skin is thick, with a luminous purple red blush on amarbled orange red background. The stone is semi-clingstone and size issmall. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level ofsugars.

Compared to ‘ASFPBF0796’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,495), its maleparent, ‘FLATWO’ variety blooms 2 to 3 days earlier and the fruits of‘FLATWO’ variety ripen approximately more than 1 month earlier. Thematurity of ‘FLATWO’ variety is considered early.

Compared to ‘FLATEARLY’ (not patented) variety, ‘FLATWO’ variety bloomsapproximately at the same time and ‘FLATWO’ fruits ripen 2 days earlier.The size of ‘FLATEARLY’ fruits is considered homogenous A whereas thesize of the new variety fruits is considered homogenous A-2A. The‘FLATEARLY’ variety has a closed blossom end whereas the new variety‘FLATWO’ has a perfect and totally closed blossom end.

Compared to its female parent, the white nectarine variety named ‘ASF0621’, the new variety ‘FLATWO’ is a white flat peach. The flavour of‘ASF 0621’ is balanced whereas the flavour of the new variety ‘FLATWO’is semi-sweet. The flowering of ‘ASF 0621’ begins generally 3 or 4 daysbefore the beginning of the flowering of ‘FLATWO’. The fruits of ‘ASF0621’ also ripen earlier than the fruits of ‘FLATWO’, generally 5 or 6days earlier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white flat peach tree, the following was observed ontrees in their third growing season (second year of production) underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near thetown of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observationshave been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘INRA®GF677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are byreference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first            year was approximately 200 to 280 cm. The tree was pruned            during each following dormant season to a height of            approximately 250 cm. Current season shoots growth could            reach 80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and            next years) reached a final height of 330 cm including            current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently            reduces to 250 cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered strong.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the fruit into the desired market sized            fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the            prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety. A reduced vegetation,            obtained with pruning or green pruning, approximately 1            month or 1 month ½ before harvesting flat fruits,            significantly promotes fruit qualities, especially growth,            color and firmness. Moreover, contamination risks due to            monilia or rot are significantly reduced. ‘FLATWO’ variety            is not much sensitive to cracking of pistil cavity, to cork            formation into peduncle cavity or to monilia.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered            homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1            year. Thinning of 2 fruits out of 3 was necessary for the            tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during            the years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘FLATWO’ variety has naturally a semi-flared            shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on the same orchard in Elne,            Pyrénées-Orienteles department, with winter chilling            requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 350 hours and            1200 hours according to the specificities of the year,            namely 1076 hours in 2012-2013, 767 hours in 2013-2014, 552            hours in 2014-2015, 721 hours in 2015-2016, and 784 hours in            2016-2017 showed a good behavior of the tree in all cases.            Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to critical            low temperatures and to climatic variations, because of the            flower morphology in which the ovule is less protected than            in the classical round fruits. Thus, areas not much exposed            to frost are recommended for trees growth. However ‘FLATWO’            trees seem to be very resistant to critical frosty weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 50.0 millimeters in diameter when            measured at a distance of approximately 20.0 centimeters            above the soil or the graft level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present, about 3 lenticels            per cm². The lenticels range in size from approximately 4.0            millimeters in width, and about 2.0 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a light brown to beige            color (RHS Greyed Brown N 199 D).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a light light grey color (RHS            Grey 201 A or RHS Grey 201 B).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The            current season shoots have a diameter of approximately 4.0            millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter of            approximately 6.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth, wood which is several years old has            no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally of 60 degrees from the            horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not            considered distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Current season shoots.—Internode length: Generally 16.0            millimeters. Color. — The color of new shoot tips is            considered light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A) on lower            part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is darker and            colored in brown to purple red more or less deep (RHS Greyed            Purple 183 A to RHS Greyed Purple 183 B), depending on the            level on the tip and the sunlight exposure.        -   Mature branches.—Internode length: Generally 23.0            millimeters. Color. — The color of mature branches is            considered light brown (RHS Grey Brown 199A).        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on mature            branches, about 3 to 4 lenticels per cm². The lenticels            range in size from approximately 1.0 millimeter in width,            and about 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a beige color (RHS Greyed            Yellow 161 B or RHS Greyed Yellow 161 C).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf            length/leaf width is 160.4/44.0=3.64. This ratio is            calculated with the medium length of five measures taken on            five different leaves (160.4 millimeters), divided by the            medium width of also five measures (44.0 millimeters).        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 150.0 to 172.0 millimeters with            leaf petiole. The medium length is about 160.4 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 39.0 to 52.0 millimeters. The            medium width is 44.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Short, pointed and acuminate.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Yellow Green (RHS Yellow            Green 147 A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Yellow            Green 146 A or RHS Yellow Green 146 B) than the upper leaf            surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost cream white (RHS            Yellow Green 145 D). The color may evolve with maturity.        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About            12.0 to about 17.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 1.5 to 2.0            millimeters.        -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS            Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B). Lower            surface. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to RHS Yellow            Green 145 B).        -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium to large. Their            length is about 1.5 millimeters and their width is about 1.0            millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 glands per leaf. Type. —            Reniform. Margins. — Smooth and regular. Color. — On young            leaves, leaf glands color is considered a light green (RHS            Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands color turns to a            dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey Brown 199 B).        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of            development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round            tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variable            dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are between            9.0 and 11.0 millimeters wide and between 15.0 and 17.0            millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent            upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of            development (stage A), the bottom of the flowers buds,            formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed            Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple            183 C or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B or RHS Grey Brown Group 199            A near the base). The corolla, formed by the petals, is            generally of pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B or RHS Red            Purple 69 C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end            of flowering.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end            of February or early in March. The first bloom was observed            on Feb. 20, 2013.        -   Blooming time.—Considered early in relative comparison to            other commercial peach cultivars grown in the            Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full            bloom is observed generally at the middle of the blooming            period. The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic            conditions and cultural practices. Thus the full bloom was            observed in 2013, from February 20^(th) until March 11^(th),            then from February 21^(st) until Mar. 4, 2014, then from            March 9^(th) to Mar. 17, 2015 and then from February 19^(th)            to Feb. 29, 2016.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately between 9 to 20 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full            bloom is approximately 29.0 to 33.0 millimeters. The typical            and observed flower height is between 21.0 to 23.0            millimeters, when the flower is opened, from the pedicel to            the highest stamens.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between            45 and 50 flowers per meter, with a high rate of fruit set.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium.        -   Length.—Generally between 17.0 and 19.0 millimeters. The            medium length is 18.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally between 16.0 and 19.0 millimeters. The            medium width is about 17.25 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth and soft.        -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a            medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B or RHS Red Purple 65 C or            RHS Red Purple 65 D) when young, becoming slightly darker            until the end of blooming.        -   Petal base.—Narrow, generally with a darker color than the            petal color (RHS Red Purple Group 61 B).        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a            triangular form, narrow at the base. Length. — About 3.0            millimeters. Width. — About 2.0 millimeter at the base.            Color. — The petal claw usually shows a color which is            darker than the petal color (RHS Red Purple Group 61 B).        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered wavy, sinuate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally wide            dome shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium and having an            average length of approximately 3.0 millimeters. Diameter. —            Considered average, approximately 1.5 millimeters. Color. —            Light green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A to RHS Yellow Green            N144 B).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.            Color. — At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is            open, the inner surface of the calyx is green yellow (RHS            Yellow Group 13 A to RHS Yellow Group 13 B or RHS Yellow            Orange Group 17 A or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to RHS Yellow            Green 150 B). The outer surface of the calyx is considered            of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed            Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Greyed Purple            187 B) and yellow green near the base of the calyx (RHS            Yellow green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B).        -   Sepals.—Sepal count. — Usually 5, sometimes 6. Surface            texture. — The outer surface has a fine pubescent texture.            The inner surface texture is smooth and glabrous. Margins. —            Smooth. Size. — Medium. Length. — Approximately 5.0            millimeters. Width. — Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.            Form. — Conic and round at the top. Color. — Both sides of            sepals are colored with a matt Red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A            or RHS Greyed Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C to RHS            Grey Purple 187 B).        -   Anthers.—Generally. — Small in length. Color. — At an early            stage of maturity, anthers are colored with an orange yellow            (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange 16 B) or an            orange red color (RHS Red Group N34 A or RHS Greyed Red            Group 178 A).        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has an orange            yellow color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to RHS            Yellow Orange 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The            present variety is considered auto-fertile            (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 11.0 and 14.0            millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally higher            than the pistil's length. Color: Considered pale pink (RHS            Red Purple 62 C to RHS Red Purple 62 D) or a darker pink            (RHS Red Purple 73 A to RHS Red Purple 73 B). The color            becomes darker during the blooming. Average number of            stamens per flower. — Generally between 37 and 42.        -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.            Length. — Approximately 10.0 to 12.0 millimeters including            the ovary. Generally smaller than or equal to filaments in            length. Color. — Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow            Green Group 151 D). The color evolves during the blooming to            become more and more pale green (RHS Yellow Green Group            150 D) and sometimes very slightly pink (RHS Red Group 36 D)            at the end of blooming. Ovary. — The pubescence is present.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions            (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 22, 2012.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘FLATWO’            variety has an early date of picking, and a grouped            maturity. The maturity is grouped within 5 to 10 days and            the harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known            picking times carry on June 22^(nd) to Jun. 26, 2012, then            from June 11^(th) to Jun. 19, 2013, then from June 1^(st) to            Jun. 8, 2014 then from June 8^(th) to Jun. 17, 2015, and            then from June 7^(th) to Jun. 14, 2016.        -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Considered medium to            large for this time of the season.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 54.0 millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 33.0 millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally 75.0 grams. This characteristic is            highly dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and            therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round and flattened, generally with            few bumps. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry,            viewed from the suture's plane.        -   Suture.—Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked,            extending from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing            or stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.            Color. — The suture has generally a similar color to the            whole fruit color, which is purple red (RHS Greyed Purple            187 A).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.        -   Apex.—Slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 6.0            to 7.0 millimeters. Average width is about 9.0 to 11.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered thick and strong, and            the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,            depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Very smooth for            a peach variety. Taste. — Semi-sweet, sugary. Tendency to            crack. — None observed.        -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is purple red (RHS            Greyed Purple 187 A). The purple red blush covers 75% of the            fruit skin surface on a marbled orange red background (RHS            Orange Red N 34 A) on approximately 25% of the fruit skin            surface. The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin            surface can vary, and is generally dependant upon the            prevailing conditions under which the fruit was grown.            Ground color. — The ground color covers approximately 25% of            the fruit skin surface, and is considered marbled orange red            (RHS Orange Red N 34 A).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 9.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a            long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy,            melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not            fibrous. Aroma. — Very pronounced. Eating quality. —            Considered very good, aromatic. Flavor. — Considered            semi-sweet. The Brix is generally between 9 and 12 degrees            and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice. —            Juicy to very juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally            9.0 to 12.0 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly            with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural            practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh            color. — The flesh is considered white (RHS White 155 A to            RHS White 155 B) usually with a slightly red pigmentation            (RHS Red 45 C) when the fruits reach maturity.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone, more or less semi-adherent depending            on the fruit maturity.        -   Size.—Considered small. The stone size varies significantly            depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and prevailing            growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 10.0 to 13.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 19.0 to 21.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 19.0 to 21.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Flattened.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is flattened.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered small size, with flattened form and            dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions. The            stone cavity is considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed            Orange 164 B or RHS Greyed Orange 164 C).        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely            furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are deeper and more            oblate on lateral sides. Ridges. — The surface texture is            generally characterized by more prominent ridges along the            ventral edges and at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Approximately 4.0 millimeters at            mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B or            RHS Greyed Orange 164 C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.        -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered small. Length. —            Approximately 7.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 6.0            millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately 5.0 millimeters.            Form. — Considered flattened and elliptic. Sometimes double.            Pellicle. — The pellicle of the kernel has a short            pubescence. Color. — The kernel skin is orange-brown colored            (RHS Greyed Orange N 167 B or RHS Greyed Orange N 167 C).            The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is white (RHS            White 155 D) and has a bitter taste. The kernel and its            embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘FLATWO’ is considered to be a            white flat peach tree having an early season of maturity,            and which produces fruits that are considered firm,            attractively colored in purple red. Fruits have a semi-sweet            taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or            melting when at full maturity. Fruits have excellent            gustative qualities. Due to their flesh quality, firmness            and density, they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range            product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And            they are also useful for both local and very long distance            shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.            After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 2 weeks            at 2.0 degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            white flat peach variety showed minimal bruising of the            flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal            harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to            handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life            without alteration after harvest easily permit 2            weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to Monilia or rot. The pistil cavity is completely            closed, generally without any cork formation. Although the            new variety of white flat peach tree possesses the described            characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions            prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            France, it should be understood that variations of the usual            magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing            conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and            horticultural management are to be expected.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white flat peach tree asillustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eatingquality, an early ripening time and a very long shelf life withoutalteration before and after harvesting, the fruits having a semi-sweetwhite flesh, with a slightly red pigmentation when the fruits reachtheir maturity, and an attractive skin with a high percentage of purplered blush on skin surface, on a marbled orange red background.